Chapter 7 - Vanessa's Version of the Truth
Vanessa admitted knowing Helena Cole.
She admitted it that night because denial had become impossible.
But she told the truth the way experienced liars often did.
In pieces.
Only the pieces already exposed.
"Helena sponsored the senior-care nonprofit where I volunteered," Vanessa said.
They were in Margaret's living room.
Ethan stood near the fireplace.
Margaret remained in her armchair with her injured leg elevated.
Vanessa paced.
"I helped at three fundraising dinners. Maybe four."
"You were photographed beside her," Margaret said.
"Everyone was."
"Did you ever visit her home?"
"No."
Margaret noticed the slight hesitation.
Ethan noticed it too.
"Vanessa."
She turned.
"What?"
"Did you visit her home?"
"Once."
Margaret waited.
"Maybe twice."
"Why?" Ethan asked.
"Foundation work."
"What kind?"
"She was sick. We delivered paperwork."
"We?"
"Other volunteers."
"Names."
Vanessa threw up her hands.
"This was years ago."
"Helena died six months ago."
"I knew her before that."
Margaret slid the printed bank enrollment across the table.
"This number."
Vanessa stopped.
"Your old number."
"So?"
"It was used to open my online pension account."
Vanessa stared at the paper.
"Maybe you used my phone."
"I didn't."
"How can you be sure?"
Margaret's voice hardened.
"Because I don't forget opening financial accounts."
Vanessa looked at Ethan.
"This is ridiculous."
Ethan said nothing.
Vanessa's expression shifted.
"You believe her."
"I believe the phone number."
"Your mother has hated me for years."
Margaret almost smiled.
Again.
Emotion instead of arithmetic.
"Tell me about the two hundred forty thousand dollars," Margaret said.
Vanessa turned.
"What about it?"
"Show me original casino statements."
"I don't carry them around."
"Bring them."
"You think I'm forging documents?"
"I think someone opened a bank account in my name."
Vanessa looked toward Ethan.
"You see what she's doing?"
Ethan's voice was low.
"Get the statements."
Vanessa stared at him.
"You'd choose her over me?"
"No."
"That's exactly what you're doing."
"I'm choosing to know what I owe."
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
"You know what you owe. You gambled it."
"Thirty-eight thousand."
"Plus private credit."
"Victor Cole's security manager told Mom there's fraud."
Vanessa went silent.
Margaret saw it.
Fear.
Not shock.
Fear.
Ethan saw it too.
"Why are you scared?"
"I'm not."
"Why did you text me about Helena?"
Vanessa's eyes flicked toward Margaret.
"Because I knew she'd find that photograph and twist it."
"You sent the text before you knew she had the photograph."
That landed.
Vanessa stopped moving.
Margaret watched her decide which lie to use next.
Finally she sat.
"Fine."
Ethan waited.
Vanessa lowered her voice.
"Helena helped me once."
"How?"
"I needed money."
"Before we were married?"
"No."
Ethan stared.
"When?"
"Three years ago."
Margaret felt the room change.
"What did she give you?"
Vanessa shook her head.
"Not cash. A job."
"What job?" Ethan asked.
"Temporary administrative work."
"At the casino?"
"At her foundation."
"For how long?"
"Five months."
Ethan frowned.
"You told me you were doing consulting."
"I didn't want you asking questions."
"Why?"
"Because Helena liked privacy."
Margaret said, "And because?"
Vanessa glared.
Margaret waited.
"Because I made a mistake."
Ethan's voice cracked.
"What mistake?"
Vanessa looked toward the window.
"I borrowed from one of the foundation accounts."
Ethan stared.
"Borrowed?"
"I paid it back."
"How much?"
"Ten thousand."
Margaret said, "How did Helena respond?"
"She fired me."
"Did Victor know?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Helena didn't tell him."
"Why?"
Vanessa suddenly looked tired.
"Because she was kind."
Margaret did not believe that was the whole answer.
"Did you take anything else when you left?"
Vanessa stood.
"No."
"Her casino card?"
"No."
"My pension card?"
"No."
"Then where is my money?"
"I don't know."
Margaret looked at Ethan.
He was staring at his wife as though someone had replaced her.
Vanessa grabbed her purse.
"I'm done."
Margaret said, "Owen Mercer knows."
Vanessa stopped at the doorway.
"Knows what?"
"That Helena's credential is tied to the transactions."
Vanessa turned slowly.
Margaret had guessed.
But Vanessa's face confirmed more than an answer would have.
"What exactly did he tell you?"
Margaret said nothing.
Vanessa's voice sharpened.
"What did he tell you?"
"Enough."
For the first time Vanessa completely lost control.
"You have no idea what you're touching."
The words filled the room.
Ethan stepped toward her.
"What does that mean?"
Vanessa looked from him to Margaret.
Then, just as suddenly, she became calm.
"Nothing."
She walked out.
Ethan started after her.
Margaret stopped him.
"Let her go."
"She has my car."
"You have another."
He looked at Margaret.
"What if she stole from Helena?"
Margaret leaned back.
"Then I suspect your gambling debt is the smallest problem in this family."
Her phone rang.
Owen Mercer.
Margaret answered.
"Mrs. Hayes, I need you to listen carefully."
She heard keyboards in the background.
"We found the first transaction connected to your pension."
"When?"
"Seven months ago."
"Before my knee injury."
"Yes."
Margaret looked at Ethan.
Owen continued.
"And the device that enrolled your account connected to Cole Crown's guest Wi-Fi the same night."
"Can you identify the device?"
"We already did."
Margaret held her breath.
May you like
Owen spoke.
"It belongs to Vanessa Hayes."
